Policy J/NE: New employment development proposals

New employment development of an appropriate type, scale and character will be supported where it is appropriate to the location as set out below. 

Cambridge 

1. Within the urban development framework of Cambridge (as defined on the policies map), new employment development of an appropriate type, scale and character will be encouraged where proposals reflect the site allocation policies, opportunity areas and areas of major change included the Strategy section of this Plan. Outside these areas proposals will be considered on their own merits. 

Towns and villages in South Cambridgeshire 

2. New employment development in accessible locations within the development frameworks (defined on the policies map) within South Cambridgeshire’s towns and villages will be supported where they are of a scale and character that reflect their location and the settlement in which they are located. 

On the edges of South Cambridgeshire’s towns and villages 

3. Subject to

A statutory designation made for the purposes of checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, preventing neighbouring towns from merging into each other, assisting in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment, preserving the setting and special character of historic towns and assisting in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. Specific Green Belt purposes have been set out for Cambridge.

policy, proposals for employment development will be permitted on sites adjoining or very close to the development frameworks of towns and villages in South Cambridgeshire (defined on the policies map) where: 

  a. It is demonstrated that there are no suitable buildings or sites within the settlement or nearby, or suitable buildings to reuse or replace in the countryside nearby; 

  b. The site comprises previously developed land. If greenfield sites are proposed they will need to demonstrate no suitable previously developed sites are available; 

  c. The proposal is justified by a business case, demonstrating that the business is viable; 

  d. There is a named user for the development, who shall be the first occupant. A planning condition will be attached to any permission to this effect; 

  e. The proposal is logically related to the built form of the settlement, the scale and form of the development would be in keeping with the category and scale of the village; 

  f. The proposal would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area and in particular the settlement edge, and is in scale with the location; 

  g. The site can be easily accessed on foot or cycle.

Established employment areas in the countryside 

4. Within Established Employment Areas in the countryside, proposals for employment development will be permitted where they are of a scale and character that reflects their location. 

5. The following Established Employment Areas in the countryside are defined on the policies map: 

  a. Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne; 

  b. Cambridge Research Park, Landbeach; 

  c. Brookfields Business Estate / Park, Twentypence Road, Cottenham; 

  d. Land at Hinxton Road, South of Duxford; 

  e. Eternit site, Meldreth; 

  f. Site to North of Cambridge Research Park, Landbeach; 

  g. Daleshead Foods Ltd, Cambridge Road, Linton; 

  h. Norman Way Industrial Estate, Over; 

  i. Buckingway Business Park, Swavesey; 

  j. Convent Drive / Pembroke Avenue site and Cambridge Innovation Park, Waterbeach; 

  k. TTP Campus Melbourn. 

Expansion of existing businesses in the countryside 

6. Subject to

A statutory designation made for the purposes of checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, preventing neighbouring towns from merging into each other, assisting in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment, preserving the setting and special character of historic towns and assisting in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. Specific Green Belt purposes have been set out for Cambridge.

policy and excluding both employment allocations within this Plan and Established Employment Areas, the expansion of established existing businesses which are outside development frameworks will be granted where: 

  a. The proposal is justified by a business case, demonstrating that the business is viable, and has been operating successfully for a minimum of 2 years; 

  b. There is a named user for the development, who shall be the first occupant. A planning condition will be attached to any permission to this effect; 

  c. The proposal is of a scale appropriate in this location, adjacent to existing premises and appropriate to the existing development; 

  d. There is no unacceptable adverse impact on the countryside with regard to scale, character and appearance of new buildings and/or changes of use of land; 

  e. Existing buildings are reused where possible; 

  f. The proposed development would not (by itself or cumulatively) have a significant adverse impact in terms of the amount or nature of traffic generated. 

Large scale warehousing and distribution centres 

7. Large scale warehousing and distribution centres providing for national or regional needs will not be permitted in

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

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For the purposes of

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

policies, employment uses consist of: 

a. E(g) 

  i. Offices 

  ii. R&D facilities

  iii. Light industry 

b. B2: General Industry 

c. B8: Storage and distribution 

Any sui generis uses that share a significant number of characteristics with the uses above, in particular sui generis medical research institute uses. 

Cambridge, including its urban area that extends into South Cambridgeshire, lies at the heart of the

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

economic ecosystem. The availability of suitable office and industrial land and premises that allow for the evolution of the city’s economy is vital to its continuing economic success. 

Towns and villages offer sustainable, local business and employment opportunities as well as playing an important role in the economic success of

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

. Plan policies seek to ensure that this role is maintained and, where appropriate, sensitive smaller scale opportunities for change and/or growth arising from a changing economic landscape are supported whilst the overall character of the settlement is maintained. 

On the edges of settlements, where no other site for development can be identified, a degree of flexibility is incorporated so that where a clear case for development is established and there are no adverse impacts on the surrounding landscape and road network, development for employment purposes may be acceptable.

In the countryside, policy seeks to balance the need to support the rural economy and local job opportunities with the need to restrict unsustainable business development and minimise harm to the landscape. Across South Cambridgeshire the plan identifies Established Areas in the Countryside. These are employment sites outside development frameworks and not in the

A statutory designation made for the purposes of checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, preventing neighbouring towns from merging into each other, assisting in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment, preserving the setting and special character of historic towns and assisting in urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. Specific Green Belt purposes have been set out for Cambridge.

, which provide local opportunities for businesses seeking opportunities to locate, grow and evolve. The growth of existing businesses can be an important source of economic growth therefore policy outlines the circumstances where expansion can be supported. 

The General Permitted

This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

Order means that some changes of use between the different types of uses listed in Class E do not constitute development and so do not require planning permission. Whilst recognising the benefits and flexibility that Class E can bring, it can affect the councils’ ability to ensure that there are sufficient employment land and premises to meet the economic needs of residents and businesses. 

In particular, it has the potential to impact the economic function of Established Employment Areas in the Countryside. To continue to meet the floorspace needs of new and expanding businesses the council may seek to apply conditions on new employment development limiting the ability to change use to other uses within Use Class E without the need for planning permission. 

Significant additional space for industrial and distribution space has been allocated in the Strategy section of this document responding to identified needs. Proposals for warehouse and distribution centres meeting local needs within or beyond these sites may be supported subject to other policy requirements. However, proposals for large scale warehousing or distribution centres, which for the purposes of this policy we define as those premises generally exceeding 9,300 square metres (100,000 square feet) and which serve a wider regional or national function, will not be supported. 

Accommodating regional and national serving operations would add further land supply pressure in an area already facing significant land supply pressures to meet the need of specialist sectors such as the area’s key life science and technology sectors, as well as increasing pressure on transport networks. 

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

  6: Jobs (2025)
• Greater Cambridge Warehouse and Industrial Space Needs Study (2025)
• Greater Cambridge Growth Sectors Study: Life science and ICT locational, land and accommodation needs (2024)

We will consider all comments while developing the next version of the

A plan for the future development of a local area, drawn up by the local planning authority in consultation with the community. In law this is described as the development plan documents adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. A local plan can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two.

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All comments must be received by 30 January 2026 at 5pm.